Psalms 144:4

Man is like to vanity: his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away.

Man {H120} is like {H1819} to vanity {H1892}: his days {H3117} are as a shadow {H6738} that passeth away {H5674}.

Man is like a puff of wind, his days like a fleeting shadow.

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

Man is like to vanity: His days are as a shadow that passeth away.

Commentary

Psalm 144:4 (KJV) poetically describes the fleeting and insubstantial nature of human existence when viewed in contrast to God's eternal majesty. It serves as a profound reflection on human mortality and the brevity of life.

Context

Psalm 144 is a prayer of King David, a leader accustomed to both warfare and divine blessing. The psalm opens with an outpouring of praise for God as his strength and deliverer in battle (Psalm 144:1-2). Immediately following this exaltation of God's power, David poses a rhetorical question in verse 3: "LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him? or the son of man, that thou makest account of him?" Verse 4 then provides the stark answer, highlighting humanity's insignificance and transient nature compared to the eternal and mighty Creator. This contrast underscores God's immense condescension and love in even noticing humankind.

Key Themes

  • Human Frailty and Transience: The primary message is the extreme brevity and insubstantiality of human life. We are portrayed as fleeting and easily vanishing, emphasizing our dependence and limitations before God.
  • God's Sovereignty and Eternity: By contrasting human frailty with God's power and enduring presence, the verse implicitly magnifies the eternal nature and sovereignty of God.
  • Humility and Perspective: Understanding our ephemeral existence encourages humility and helps us gain a proper perspective on our place in the grand scheme of creation, urging reliance on God.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translates two key Hebrew words that convey the verse's profound meaning:

  • "Vanity" (hebel): This powerful Hebrew term (הֶבֶל) literally means "breath," "vapor," or "futility." It implies something without substance, fleeting, or ultimately meaningless. It is famously used throughout the book of Ecclesiastes to describe the emptiness of worldly pursuits. Here, it paints a picture of human life as a mere wisp, quickly disappearing.
  • "Shadow" (tsel): The imagery of a "shadow that passeth away" (צֵל עֹבֵר) vividly illustrates the temporary and unsubstantial nature of human days. A shadow has no real substance, leaves no lasting trace, and vanishes as quickly as it appears, particularly with the changing light of day. This metaphor is common in Old Testament wisdom literature to describe the brevity of life.

Related Scriptures

This theme of human transience is echoed throughout Scripture, reinforcing the need for an eternal perspective:

  • Job 14:2: "He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not."
  • Psalm 39:5: "Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah."
  • James 4:14: "For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

Practical Application

Understanding that "man is like to vanity" and our "days are as a shadow" should not lead to despair, but rather to a purposeful and God-centered life:

  • Live with Purpose: Recognize the brevity of life as a motivation to make every day count for God's glory and eternal values, rather than chasing fleeting worldly possessions or temporary pleasures.
  • Seek Eternal Significance: Instead of building an earthly legacy that will pass away, invest in things that have eternal weight, such as spiritual growth, serving others, and sharing the Gospel.
  • Cultivate Humility: This verse calls us to acknowledge our limitations and dependence on God, fostering a spirit of humility and reliance on His divine power and grace, rather than our own strength.
  • Find Hope in God: While human life is transient, God is eternal. Our ultimate hope and stability are found not in ourselves or our circumstances, but in the unchanging, everlasting God who knows us and cares for us despite our frailty.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 102:11 (7 votes)

    My days [are] like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.

  • Psalms 109:23 (5 votes)

    I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.

  • Job 8:9 (5 votes)

    (For we [are but of] yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth [are] a shadow:)

  • Psalms 39:5 (5 votes)

    Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth; and mine age [is] as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state [is] altogether vanity. Selah.

  • Psalms 39:6 (5 votes)

    Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:8 (3 votes)

    ¶ Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all [is] vanity.

  • 2 Samuel 14:14 (3 votes)

    For we must needs die, and [are] as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect [any] person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.